Chamling announces incentives to make Sikkim first Tuberculosis-free State in India by 2022

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on Sunday reiterated his government’s target of making Sikkim the first Tuberculosis-free State in the country by 2022.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, while addressing a World Health Day programme at Chintan Bhawan here on Sunday, urged the Sikkimese people to come forward and help elimination of TB from the State by 2022.

The Sikkim Chief Minister also announced to provide a monthly grant of Rs 3,000 to every TB patient as nutritional support and cash award of Rs 5 lakh for the TB-free gram panchayat unit and Rs 10 lakh for a zilla panchayat territorial constituency free from TB.

Chief Minister Chamling also called on the panchayats, doctors and everyone to come forward and eradicate TB completely from the State.

“Vaccination is not enough, awareness and alertness is must and urged people not to hide the disease but avail proper and complete treatment provided by the government,” said Chamling.

The World Health Day programme with the theme ‘universal health coverage’ had special focus towards elimination of tuberculosis by 2022 was organised by State Health department.

Chamling while delving on the importance of consuming organic vegetables for a healthy life in an era where the chemical fertilisers have taken over, also said, “I have even offered my suggestion to the Central government to put a ban on import of chemical fertilizers and make India an organic country. The government will save enormously on subsidy on fertilizers. Organic mission is a noble initiative for the benefit of the Sikkimese.”

The CM further said, “It is really upsetting to see certain section of the society including the opposition parties opposing the decision. They are highly irresponsible and against the good health of the public.”

The Sikkim CM further shared that Sikkim was the first State to start Hepatitis B vaccination, measles vaccine and now HPV vaccine would also be launched to ensure good health for the people of Sikkim.

The CM also congratulated the Kayakalp awardees, and for the important releases during the programme. He adde, “The State government is committed for the welfare of doctors and health workers in the State.”

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